[La ciencia de la recuperación de adicciones con sustancia: aplicaciones en Salud Pública]

Intervention about addictive behaviours, especially in substance use, has been advancing from traditional therapeutic communities and drug-free programs to comprehensive care networks and harm reduction programs. Addiction recovery is based on the development of capabilities, skills, and competencies that allow the person who has had an addiction problem to generate an alternative lifestyle to the use of substances (or other addictive behaviours) and not only approach treatment from the presence or absence of the main substance. During the 21st century, the so-called Recovery Science has been developed, identifying the theoretical and practical aspects, concepts and constructs of addiction recovery. This article presented a narrative review of the main theories, aspects, and strengths of Recovery Science, as well as its limitations and applications. The main findings are that recovery-based programs are highly effective for the individuals for whom they are designed, but are more difficult for specific groups (women, especially those with children; young people with conduct disorders; users of new psychoactive substances). In conclusion, it is necessary to strengthen experimental and quasi-experimental studies that allow for a better understanding of what works and what doesn't in Recovery Science.